Gas absorbing system



1941- R. B. EVERSON GASABSORBING SYSTEM Filed July 6, 1937 Sheets-Sheet 1 fiuenibr @jlazrflardom in the best operative condition,

times.

Patented Oct. 28, 1941 UNITED STATE s [PATENT OFFICE GAS ABSOBBING SYSTEM- Roy Blair Ever-son, Chicago, 111. Application July 6, 1937, Serial No. 152,131

5 Claims. (o1. 21o-2s) This invention relates in general to a system for supplying water or other fluid to a device for utilization thereof and more specifically to asupply means having a gas treatment and absorbing system associated therewith.

Heretofore it has been conventional to feed hydraulic devices from municipal water,mainsunder pressure. However, under certain conditions such as, iorginstance, when the mains are shut down or the source'of pressure'removed, a

suction may be created in negative pressure or the main supply lines tending to withdraw or siphon back into the fresh water supplysystem v the used liquids from the hydraulic device.

Considerable attention has recently been drawn to the necessity for preventing such pollution of municipal water supplies. The use of check 'valves in the supply conduits at once suggests itself but it will be obviousthat such devices are by no means infallible nor do they generally, even provide a perfect seal. Inasmuch as only minute quantities of bacteria orpolluting elements are suiflcient to render unfit large quantities of supply water, it will be apparent that any means for the prevention of return siphoning must be positive at all It is an object, therefore, of the present invenmorev fully appear during the course and progress of the following specification.

Figure 1 is a plan layout showing a gas absorbing device and. fluid supply means in accordance with the present invention.

Figure 2 is a detailed sectional elevation taken through the gas flow measuring device shown in Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a sectionaltelevation of an alternative preferred form of measuring device and balance chamber. Figure 4 is a sectional elevation of yet another alternative preferred form of measuring device and balance chamber. 4 V

Figure 5,,is a sectional elevation of a further alternative preferred form of measuring device f and balance chamber.

The embodiment selected for purposes of illustrating the present invention, comprises a gas tank or reservoir l0 forming a source of supply of any desired treatment gas. In the preferred embodiment, for purposes of illustration, the use of chlorine will be described A valve fitting l2 is provided at the outlet of the tank Ill and this tion to provide a supply or feed system for a provide a device for chemically treating fluid as it is supplied from a fluid source to a point of utilization thereof wherein re-siphoning of the fluid is prevented, not only from the point of utilization, but from the fluid treatment means. Another object of this invention is to provide an absorbing system for gases wherein liberation of the gas is prevented by the utilization of a novel combination of liquid seals combined with an atmospheric venting conduit:

A still further object ofthis invention'is to provide a gas absorbing system for the treatment of fluids having a novel and improved gasflow measuring device. which may be readily disassembled and. adjusted.

Numerous other objects and advantages will in turn connects directly with the gauge I4 indicating the pressure in the tank. The valve 16 serves to permit control of the gas whereby chlorine may be drawn off at constant flow and reduced pressure into the pipeline l8 and thence to the metering device 20. This latter element comprises centrally a rotarneter 22 (see Figure 2) conventionally known in the art and consisting of a glass tube 24 having a tapered bore with a float or pointer 26 residing therein and susceptible to1upward displacement in accordance with the flow .of gas upwardly in the tube. Inasmuch float 26 will come to rest at a predetermined as the taper widens upwardly, as shown in Figure 2, when a flow of gas is induced upwardly, the

vertical position for any particular rate of flow of gas or fluid within its operative range. As is conventional in the art, the float is provided with specially shaped slots in its'head (not shown) against which the fluid passing through the rotameter impinges, causingrapid rotation of the float inthe center'of the fluid stream. away from the walls of the tube.

The tube is preferably of glass or other trans-' parent material and maintainedin the position shown by a col1ar28 threaded into an enlarged bore in the base member 30 after the fashionof a packing gland and positioned above a suitable annular body 32 of impervious packing material.

The meteris enclosed in a suitable transparent casing illustrated'inFigure 2 as 'aw-bell Jar 34 prise merely an oil or other viscous substance suitable to resist ingress of air and in some instances it will be found sufllcient merely to fill the channel with water. l

The meter base 30 has an upstanding cylindrical central portion 42 adapted to fit into the central aperture of the collar 36 and an outstanding annular flange extending over the bottom face thereof Ind separated therefrom by a suitable resilient gasket 44. The members are held in assembled relationship by a plurality of machine bolts 46 which tend to compress the gasket 44, providing a hermetic seal between the base and collar. An aperture 48, aligned with the bore of the rotameter, communicates directly therewith and has threaded into its lower end a nipple 50 to which is clamped the pipeline I8. The outlet hole 52 is drilled through the base and collar and communicates with the interior of the bell jar, exteriorly of the rotameter, and is threadedly associated atlts lower end with nipple 54. It will be apparent that the metering device, though completely gas-tight, is readily visible and may be quickly removed for cleaning, inspection or repair simply by loosening of the machine bolts'46.

The flow of gas from the metering device passes through pipeline 56 to an auxiliary supply chamber or balance chamber 58, and from the bottom of the auxiliary supply chamber through a pipeline 60 to the ejector mechanism 62, where it mixes with a stream of water, and is subjected to further mixing in the tower 64.

The ejector, as well as the balance chamber and tower, are described and claimed in detail in applicants co-pending applications, Serial No. 747,817, filedOctober 11, 1934, and Serial No. 50,803, filed November 20, 1935. ever, water is fed to the ejector through a pipeline 66, having-therein a gauge 68, as described in the previous applications. The ejector 62 pulls the gas from the pipeline 68 and mixes it with the incoming stream of water. Further mixing takes place in the auxiliary throat chamber 61, and its elongated extension 68, which threadedly passes through thecap III on the end of the throat chamber. Final mixing takes place as the water is sprayed through the apertures 12 and falls in particles through the atmosphere formed by residual chlorine gas.

The pipeline 14 effects communication between the upper portion of the auxiliary supply chamber and the upper part of the tower. Thus, the pressure on both sides of the ejector is'continuously'equalized, preventing refluxing or regurgitation of water in the event of a shut-down.

The bottom end of the tower 64 is open and and is carried to some point in the exteriorat- *mosphere. As described in the prior applications,

if at any time during abnormal operation or shut-down of the process, the chlorine pressure should become great enough to force the liquid level interiorly of the tank below the inlet opening of the pipe I8, the excess gas will immediatelybe vented to the outside atmosphere and no chlorine will be permitted to enter the room in which the present machine is located.

The water is supplied for operation of the present device in the following manner: A pipe 80 leads to any suitable source of water under pressure, such as municipal water mains, the flow being controlled by the inlet valve 82. At the T-fitting 84 the flow divides, a part thereof passing through the pipe 86 and the union 88 to the T 90. At this point the flow is again divided, a portion thereof passing through the pipe 66, as

aforesaid, to supply the ejector. The remainder of the flow through pipe 86 is diverted downwardly through the pipe 82 and the constant 7 level valve 84 controlled by the float ball 96 in go that the water level in the solution tank will be I the solution tank 16. Thus it will be obvious always maintained at a predetermined level.

In order at any time to effectually resist the egress of chlorine into the room, the pipe 92 is continued downwardly as the pipe 98 and discharges under the liquid level and closely ad- 84 passes downwardly, as shown in Figure 1,

a5 nozzle III and a restricted throat II6, although of the ejector into the main stream -of water.

through the pipeline I62, controlled by the hand valve I04, and in seriatim order past the check valve I66 and the pressure gauge III! to the ejector I I2. The ejector comprises a restricted any equivalent form of device may be employed. At this point the chlorinated solution, from a point adjacent the bottom of the tower 64, passes into the feed pipe 4 and is pulled by the action passing therethrough to produce a thorough mixture in the throat -I I6. The thus treated supply of water is directed through the T-fltting II8, the control valve I2Iland the final. check valve I22 through the pipe I24 to its final place of disposal. The valve fitting I26 provides means for draining the system for cleaning, repair, and the like, and as a result is normally in a closed position. It has become the custom to daily sterilize all walks, locker rooms, shower rooms, etc., with a chlorine solution and to supply special foot baths with such solution for germicidal reasons and in order to destroy numerous fungus impurities causing foot infections. The petcock I26 provides a suitable means for withdrawing strong chlorine solutions for such sanitary requirements at any time. arrangement has been found to be particularly adaptable for use in supplying water to a swim ming pool or the like, it will be obvious to anyone skilled in the art that any modification in a ,eknown manner may more effectively suit it to any particular type of feed use.

A cross vent pipe I28, associated through T- fitting I36 with the vent pipe I8, opens at its other, end into the feed pipe 92 through the T- fitting' I82. Preferably, the vent pipe I28 is of relatively small cross-section, being proportioned within a range such that it will readily admit suflicient air from the vent pipe 18 to the system in order to form a vacuum break but at the same-time will carry only a relatively small proportion of the water flow during normal operation. .Likewise, in accordance with the preferred embodiment the pipe II is desirably of relatively Though the present to readily break a the several pipes a continuous-flow of water The function of the pipe 18 but capable of admitting suflicient air.

suction.

In normal operation the valves are opened to the required degree to permit water to pass through the main pipe I02 and its associated elements, being conveyed ultimately through the pipe I24 to the swimming pool. The flow of water branching of! in the pipe 96 is divided at the T 99, one portion passing through thepipe 99 and into the ejector 62 where it is mixed with the chlorine gas which it draws through the pipeline 6t.- Subsequent complete mixing takes place in the throat and the tower, the completely chlorinated water collecting within the solution tank 16. Additional water for the solution goes through the branch pipe 99, the level in the tank being maintained at' the proper height in accordance with the position of the float 96. It will be obvious that under normal conditions the water pressure in the pipe 92 will cause a flow of the water through the vent pipe I29, which upon reaching the vent pipelfl will pass downwardly therein into the body of water in the solution tank. The overflow pipe I preferably leads to a sewer and prevents flooding of the room in the event of an abnormal flow of water. The solution formed is thus conveyed through the pipe lit and admixed with the main flow of water in the ejector is determined through the agency of the pressure gauges 6d and i it Meanwhile, the correct proportioning of the gas is maintained through the control valve it, as indicated by the meter 22. q

When the present device is operated in one preferred manner, about half of, the water flow is supplied through the pipe 86 and passed into the tower at through the elector 82. The remainder of the water fiownecessarily passes into the tank 19 through the pipetd. All of the,

water pulled by the ejector H2 through the pipe IM is derived from these two sources. As a consequence, during normal operation, there is from the tank it upwardly into the bottom of the towered, as indicated by the arrow in Figure 1. Thus the body of water in the tank 18 is normally substantially free of chlorine and incapable of liberating obnoxious vapors to the surrounding atmosphere.

'The highly concentrated solution in the bottom of the tower 6G is diluted by the flow from the tank 78 and continually drawn off in the pipe lit to be mixed with the main flow of water.

In the event, at any time, that a negative sue-.-

tion occurs in the source of supply, such as would result from the breaking of a pipe, or for other known reasons, the usual system would be ineffective to prevent backward siphoning and polluted water. The present check'valve alone would be insuflicient in view of the well known impositiveness and fallibility thereof. If powerful suction was applied to the present machine, however, the suction would obviously be transmitted through the various pipes and would tend to draw water from the swimming pool orother relatively polluted source through the pipe IN. The check valve m, it in operating condition,

H2. Proper flow in would normally tend to resist this rearward flow, as would the upper check valve I09. This eflect would be in any event positively heightened by the constricted openings forming the jet HI and the throat H9 of the ejector 2. It is obvious that these relatively constricted passages would,

under any circumstances, greatly impede the iiow.

However, by this time the suction will be transmitted to the pipes It and 92 and atmospheric air from the vent pipe 19 will travel through the cross'vent pipe n, completely breaking the vacuum in the pipe 96 as well as the pipe I92.

Thus it is apparent that the pipe I28 will prefermitted to run, the gas would accordingly have free passage through the pipes 96, 92 and 98. However, liberation to the air in the room would be prevented by the water seal formed in the part of the pipe 98 submerged below the solution in the tank 96 and any gas in these pipes would be liberated to the outside atmosphere, passing freely through the T'connection I32 and the cross vent I29 to the vent pipe 19 leading outside the building. Liberation of obnoxious or poisonous fumes in the room is accordingly completely eliminated.

On the other hand, assuming that the pipeline 66 should be clogged or the valve I00, for instance, inadvertently shut off while the chlorine was continually delivered, the gas would be prevented from passing through the pipe 66 and out through the vent in the aforesaid manner. The gas'pressure in the tower would accordingly increase, displacing the water level therein downwardly until it reached a point adjacent the bot-' tom end of the vent l8 whereupon the gas would be continuously liberated to the outer atmosphere through the vent 19. The gas pressure necessary to liberate the excess gas in the above described manner need be only very small, preferably less than six ounces, and may be controlled by the positioning of the vent 19 with respect to the tower 6t. 1

Should the present device be employed in connection with a re-circulating system of a swim- .ming pool, for instance, and the re-circulatin system at any time fail, if the operating pressure of the injector H2 is greater than the back-pressure and re-circulating system, delivery of the solution would continue. On the other hand, should the main water supply fail at the same time as the re-circulating system return flow, due to back pressure of the re-circulating system, would normally close the check valve I22. If the check valve should leak, the back flow of water would gradually fill the tank 16 up to the level of its overflow I34 and be of! to the drain. Meanwhile any excess gas would be conveyed off, as hereinbefore mentioned,

Itis preferred that the portions of the device carrying corrosive liquids or fluids be formed of hard rubber or other corrosive-resisting substance. This applies particularly to the tubes ll, 59, 60 and It. when the gas used is chlorine, and particularly where a certain flexibility is continually conveyed that the type of pipe employed, dictated by the chemical properties thereof, will be indicated to anyone skilled in the art.

It is evident that the present invention provides a supply and treatment device which is simple and eflicient, but utterly fool-proof and incapable of harmful operation. Most of all, a

the device are equally as effective in response to careless acts or mistakes made by the operator. Regardless of whether the valves are mis-operated,chlorine will not be liberated in the room, nor will equipment or surroundings be damaged.

When the vent pipe'has been shown as connected to the pipe 92, nevertheless it will be obvious that it could equally well be associated with the pipes 66, 86, 80 or any other portions of the water supply system. Likewise, the pipe I28 may, if desired, be of considerably larger diameter than that indicated and may carry a proportionately larger flow of water to the sclu-' tion tank. According to another form of the invention, the pipe 88 and valve 94 might be entirely omitted and the entire flow of make-up water instead passed through the pipe I28, suitably throttled or otherwise controlled.

Moreover, the entire portions of the device containing the treatment gas is maintained during operation at a pressure below atmospheric; that is, the-vacuum created by the action of the ejector will serve to maintain a low pressure in the meter casing, .the balance chamber, thesupply lines and even the tower. Accordingly leak age cannot occur'outwardly of the structure and, when using chlorine and other noxious gases, fumes are kept out of the surrounding atmosphere, The number of gases which may be used therewith is, therefore, extensive. The suction created by the ejector is, according to the preferred embodiment, very slight.

' In Figure 3 is disclosed'an alternative form of metering device comprising a rotameter 22 of the type shown in Figures 1 and 2, secured to abase member 30, in substantially the same manner as described above, which is in turn secured to the base block I38 and surrounded by an open-ended glass cylin'der I40, suitably .ar-

through an'aligned nipple into the rotameter, passing into the auxiliary supply chamber I46 through the passage I44, and is supplied tothe outlet ejector through the outlet pipe 14 communicating with the passage I48. The balance line 60 communicates to'the interior of the chamber I46 through an aperture I50 in the bottom thereof. 1

The alternative type of metering device shown in Figure 4; comprises an auxiliary supply chammetering chamber I62, formed of a glass cylinder assembled in the manner. of the hereinbefore described embodiment, contains a manometer I64 arranged to register the differential oi the pressure gauge across the oriflceI66. The inlet line I8 feeds the first supply chamber I88 through the upper passage I80, the gas passing from the said chamber through the upper passage I62, through the orifice I66 and into theauxiliary supply chamber I46. The outlets are arrangedin the manner of the previous embodiment. Screw plugs I64 permit access to the interior of the device for cleaning and the like.

A yet further embodiment comprises a bubble meter I66 of the type described in detail in the aforementioned co-pending applications. The supply-chambers I58 and I46 are arranged as described in the aforementioned preferred embodiment, a bored passage I68 passing'from the first chamber to the bubble device whereby gas passed therethrough and bubbled into the liquid I10 isconveyed through the passage I12 into the final auxiliary chamber I46. The enclosing vessel I13 for the bubble chamber is formed from acylinder preferably of glass or any other suitable material and having a closed bottom I14. The bottom I14 resides in a suitable depression in the bottom block' I88 and forms a leakproof and efllcient container for the body of liquid I10. The members may be held in assembled relationship by any suitable means, but in the preferred embodiment the central chambers are clamped between the end'blocks by tie-rods (not shown).

Any suitable liquid may be used in the bubble meter. If chlorine is being metered, water may be used. When using ammonia gas, on the other hand, kerosene has been found preferable. Liquid lost by evaporation may be readily replaced through the agency of the screw plug I64.

Changes may be made in the form, construction-and arrangement of the parts without departing from the spirit of the invention or sacrificing any of its advantages, and the right is hereby reserved to makegall such. changes as fairly fall within the scope of the following claims.

The invention is hereby claimed as follows:

1. A gas absorbing apparatus comprising a source of liquid, gas supply means, a branch conduit from the source of liquid, mixing means for mixing gas from the gas supply means with V the liquid from the branch conduit" to form a solution 'a receptacle for holding the solution, a gas-tight conduit from the mixing means to the receptacleand having its lower .end submerged in thesolution in the receptacle, liquidtight means, for conducting liquid from the disposed in a first branch of said water supply branch conduit to the receptacle,- outletv means communicating with .the receptacle for, 'withdrawin'g solution, therefrom, vent means to the atmosphere communicating with said gas tight conduit below the level of the liquid normally in the receptacle and communicating with said liquid tight means, whereby siphoning of said solution into the original source of liquid is prevented, and whereby gas from the mixing means will be vented to the atmosphere during abnormal operation. I

2. A gas absorption apparatus comprising a water' supply conduit having a plurality. of branches, a supply of chlorine gas, a gas injector conduit to produce'a chlorine water solution, a

ber I46, as hereinbefore'described. The central receptacle for-receiving said solution from the n 'ectoi, a gas-tight tower for'conducting solu- '.ion from the injector to the receptacle and iaving itslower end submerged in the solution n the receptacle, a second branch of the water ;upply conduit having its lower end Submerged in the solution in the. receptacle, a conduit irom said receptacle for removing chlorine water solution from there'c'eptacla'anda vent to the atmosphere tapped to the second branch of the water supply conduit-above the 'normal liquid? will establish atmos-, the chlorine gas injector and of the contents of theinv tank, an injector in the conduit at a point subsequent to the point where the development of pheric pressure in both the principal water supply conduit and the secondary water conduit and prevent suction of the contents of the gas ejector into the principal water supplylconduit.

4. A chlorine gas absorption apparatus comprising a principal water supply conduit, a source of chlorine gas, a vertically disposed absorption tower having an open bottom and disposed in a water tank at atmospheric pressure, a secondary water conduit connecting the principal water supply conduit to the absorption tower 'for diverting a portion of the-flow thereto, means for introducing a third water conduit tapped to the secondary water to the water gas to the absorption tower, a

water conduit for supplying principal water supply the secondary water conduit taps it, an outlet conduit from. the water i tank having its inlet inside the open end of the absorption tower tapped to the principal water supply conduit for diverting a portion of the flow therefrom,

,a gas ihjector operated by said secondary water conduit, a source of chlorine gas communicating with the injector, an absorption tower forassisting in dissolving gas and water received from the injector, a receptacle for receiving water from the tower and having the lower end of the absorption tower submerged therein,

ond injector positioned in the principal water conduit at a point behind the connection to the secondary water conduit, a principal outlet conduit from the second injector for removing all of the liquid from the apparatus, and a vent to Y an outlet I from said absorption tower terminating in a secthe atmosphere tapped to the aforesaid branch of the secondary water conduit, whereby upon ondary and third and leading to the injector, whereby water through the principal water supplyconduit will cause a flow of water through the sectower and to redeliver the gas carrying water to the injector, and a vent to atmosphere in the third water conduit' whereby upon the develop- .ment of a suction in the principal water supply conduit the vent to atmosphere will establish atmospheric pressure in the absorption tower and .in the principal water supply conduit.

5. The structure described in claim 4 with an additional vent tapped to ,the absorption tower at a point below ,the normal liquid level in the water tank.

ROY BLAIR EVERSON.

a suction in the principal water conduit, the vent will establish atmoswater conduits so as to perform a gas mixing operation in the absorption 

